MANILA – Senator Loren Legarda on Thursday urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to utilize its surplus funds to expand benefit packages and resolve gaps in public healthcare access for effective implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
Legarda made this comment in a Senate hearing on December 18 following the removal of a P74-billion government subsidy for PhilHealth under the proposed 2025 national budget.
She said PhilHealth can make the most of its PHP150 billion surplus to support the goals of the UHC Law.
“With billions in reserves and surplus, PhilHealth has the resources to ensure every Filipino benefits from quality healthcare. But without proper implementation of the UHC Law, many will continue to face barriers to essential services,” Legarda said.
PhilHealth Senior Vice President Renato Limsiaco Jr. told the Senate Committee on Health that the corporation has a total of PHP628.2 billion in assets as of October 2024, including PHP281 billion in reserves and PHP150 billion in surplus funds.
Despite the removal of the government subsidy, PhilHealth’s Corporate Operating Budget (COB) for 2025 is set at PHP284.1 billion, marking an almost 10 percent increase from the PHP259 billion allocated for 2024.
Of the total budget, PHP271 billion will be dedicated to benefit expenses, covering PhilHealth’s existing and expanded benefit packages.
The funding will come from PHP203 billion in direct contributions, PHP20 billion from investments, and PHP48 billion from the surplus fund.
PhilHealth said the remainder of the surplus amount can be augmented should the PHP271 billion allotted for benefit expense in 2025 is exhausted.
Legarda also emphasized the need to expand benefit packages to address the full spectrum of healthcare needs.
She urged PhilHealth to identify accredited Konsulta provider centers equipped with breast screening, ultrasound, and mammogram machines and to make this information publicly accessible.
“The UHC Law was enacted to ensure healthcare is accessible at the point of care,” Legarda said.
“It is unacceptable for people to queue at multiple offices seeking assistance for hospital bills while billions sit unused,” Legarda said.
She called for operational reforms, faster reimbursement processes, and prioritization of vulnerable sectors.
PhilHealth has assured the Senate of its stability and capacity to sustain operations.
The agency highlighted recent expansions in benefit coverage—30 percent in February and 50 percent in December 2024—allowing higher reimbursements for hospital bills.
She also underscored the importance of universal healthcare as a right, not a privilege.
“The UHC Law was enacted to provide equitable healthcare for all Filipinos. PhilHealth must rise to the challenge and fulfill this promise. No Filipino should be left behind when it comes to healthcare.” Legarda said.
Legarda’s call to action reflects the Senate’s commitment to holding PhilHealth accountable for the equitable and efficient use of its funds, ensuring that every Filipino has access to quality healthcare. (PNA)